Four TCU players arrested in campus drug sweep

Seventeen TCU students have been arrested as a result of a six-month investigation into drug related activity on campus on Wednesday. According to police and school officials, four of those students are Horned Frog football players.

The four TCU players to be arrested as part of the sting were senior linebacker Tanner Brock, senior defensive tackle D.J. Yendrey, offensive tackle Ty Horn, and senior safety Devin Johnson.

Sources confirmed to CBSSports.com's Bruce Feldman that all four players had been dismissed from the team. All but Horn were expected to start for TCU in 2012.

"There are days people want to be a head football coach, but today is not one of those days," said Patterson. "As I heard the news this morning, I was first shocked, then hurt and now I’m mad.

"Under my watch, drugs and drug use by TCU’s student-athletes will not be tolerated by me or any member of my coaching staff. Period. Our program is respected nationally for its strong ethics and for that reason the players arrested today were separated from TCU by the University. I believe strongly that young people’s lives are more important than wins or losses.

"This situation isn’t unique to TCU -- it is a global issue that we all have to address. This isn’t just about bad decisions made by a small percentage of my team. It is about a bigger issue across this country and world.

"As a coach, I do the best I can to educate members of my team. We have programs in place that teach student-athletes about what they should and shouldn’t do and how to be successful in life. I talk to them about how to be students and upstanding men that uphold the TCU name and its traditions.

"At the end of the day, though, sometimes young people make poor choices. The Horned Frogs are bigger and stronger than those involved."

According to TCU Chancellor Victor J. Boschini Jr., there has never been "a magnitude of student arrests such as this" and all of those found guilty will face immediate expulsion. The chancellor issued an official statement on TCU's website.

"While this news is certainly shocking and disappointing, it is important to remember that TCU has clear expectations for its students: that they behave in an ethical manner, abide by campus policies and adhere to state and federal law," Boschini wrote.

"These students are charged with acting in a manner that is incompatible with TCU values and against the law. That is simply unacceptable and such reported behavior is not tolerated at this University."

According to TCU police, the drugs being sold included marijuana, cocaine, acid, ecstasy, and prescription drugs. Fort Worth police said the investigation is ongoing and that more students could be arrested in the campus wide crackdown.

Arrest warrant affadavits released by police included statements from Brock and Johnson made to undercover officers that indicated widespread drug use on the Horned Frogs team. Regarding a surprise February 1 drug test (reportedly demanded by Patterson after a recruit had told him he would not come to TCU over drug use concerns), Brock estimated "about 60 people" would be "screwed" while Johnson told officers "82 people failed it."

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Four TCU players arrested in campus drug sweep

@ Thunderdan

Part of my admiration comes because during my recruiting trips to Notre Dame and TCU, both schools address the use of drugs during orientation meetings and I always got the sense they (unlike the other schools I visited) stood by their convictions and today I am proud to say I was right.

Now, back to the discussion. If the information came to light at any university there was a campus-wide drug bust most administrators would act accordingly, but would ALL schools help the investigation knowing that their cash cow would be affected. I doubt it! Therefore, I commend the TCU brass because they stuck by their code of ethics from the first compaint that was lodged against the students and helped the investigation from the very beginning. Just because you say it is "proposterously obvious" what most schools should do....doesn't mean it is always done that way! For the past who knows how many years, I've read about people in "high" places that seem to get a pass because of their stature within an organization, company, or even within a university. Instead of just sweeping the complaints under the table TCU acted!

One last thing! I think you made some rather odd conjectures based on my comments. No where did I say LSU or OSU wouldn't follow the same lines as TCU regarding a drug bust. People were making comparisons to TCU (drug bust) and OSU (booster/tattoo scandal) and what penalties TCU should face. However, seeing as though they were two different circumstances, there were two different approaches taken by the coaches and administrators. Also, I think it is rather funny that you believe I could commend Penn State for anything they did regarding their scandal. The abuse that is purported within Penn State happened many years ago and was brushed under the carpet before someone finally came out and reported the abuse.

Since: Aug 2, 2010

Posted on: February 15, 2012 3:07 pm

Four TCU players arrested in campus drug sweep

Taylor213: I'm not sure why you think ANY punishment for the TCU program is warranted. This was not a case of NCAA infractions on the part of the coaches OR the players. The players broke the law, and will be tried and punished in criminal courts by the Justice system. The NCAA would have no business sticking their nose into it at all. The fact that four FB players, as INDIVIDUALS, got into trouble has nothing to do with the FB program.

Bob, i respect you insight, but NCAA works within the broader framework of the law, as the case with all rules set up by schools, work, or any other insitution. Why should breaking a federal law exempt you from NCAA regulations???? remember that tat 5 were individuals as well. And if the bowl ban to OSU was for Tressel lying, why was it enforced after his resignation? Who is being disciplined in that case?

Since: Nov 19, 2006

Posted on: February 15, 2012 2:36 pm

Four TCU players arrested in campus drug sweep

TCU is going to be in the big hurt next season. With the loss of these 3 starters, they are now looking at losing 7 starters on defense, plus their PK, Punter, and 5 starters on offense. Welcome to the Big 12.

As far as punishing the school is concerned, that is just plain silly. The Police busted a durg selling ring. 4 Football Players were invilved. They were all dismissed from the team. This is no reason to blame the entire team, or the entire schools for the actions of a few. This incident should be closed, as far as the school is concerned. It is now up to the courts to decide what happens to all of these participants.

Since: Oct 14, 2011

Posted on: February 15, 2012 2:28 pm

Four TCU players arrested in campus drug sweep

Why did it take so long for Patterson to get mad.... I am shocked at his reaction, I have not yet reached the phase where I am hurt?

Since: Jun 10, 2010

Posted on: February 15, 2012 2:26 pm

Four TCU players arrested in campus drug sweep

Seniors to be in 2012

I'd like to know how the 3 seniors were expected to start next year!?

Since: May 25, 2007

Posted on: February 15, 2012 2:16 pm

Four TCU players arrested in campus drug sweep

TCUDIVING, I think you have a little water left over between your ears. You commend the University for how they are handling this? WTF? As opposed to what? Having a campus wide rule that dealing drugs will not be accepted with the obvious excception of the student athletes? Come on man. Do you also commend the Bears for releasing Sam Hurd too? I am too afraid to even ask your thoughts on how Penn State should be commended.

Let's not stroke the TCU brass for doing something that is so preposterously obvious that any other school would do also. And please, spare me any LSU/OSU/etc., wouldn't do the exact same thing, because they would if they had a campus wide drug sting going on and found out football players were dealing drugs. This isn't La La Land. Every coach, AD, and University President would do the same thing.

Since: Feb 16, 2011

Posted on: February 15, 2012 2:13 pm

Four TCU players arrested in campus drug sweep

People....dont blow this out of proportion. There were 4 football players selling drugs. They were busted by police and charged accordingly. Dont let the actions of these 4 idiots tarnish the entire athletic program. I have to agree with a previous post stating the Ohio St. situation is much worse. In that situation, you have players engaging in unethical behavior(which isnt illegal) BUT TRESSEL COVERS IT UP FOR THEM. Thats what makes it worse. Tressel is trusted to ensure these guys are following the rules, yet he decides to cover for them. And for everyone else bashing TCU....if you really want to bash a college athletic program take a shot at Penn State, Syracuse, and Wisconsin.....

Since: Jul 9, 2008

Posted on: February 15, 2012 2:12 pm

Four TCU players arrested in campus drug sweep

I'd like to know how the 3 seniors were expected to start next year!?

Since: Jan 17, 2007

Posted on: February 15, 2012 2:10 pm

Four TCU players arrested in campus drug sweep

Nova: You think the Big East is breathing easy right now, with only 7 teams playing FB? The ones breathing easy are the TCU Frogs, who are now in an AQ league, which the Big East cannot be without 8 FB teams. The only regret the BE has is that TCU isn't that 8th team.

Since: Nov 24, 2008

Posted on: February 15, 2012 2:07 pm

Four TCU players arrested in campus drug sweep

I do not believe the coaches are trying to cover this up, which was the OSU mistake. I am not sure we need to hammer anyone other that the idiots selling the drugs.

Exactly! its the players fault for breaking the law. as long as the university is upfront about everything and doesn't cover up the crime/infraction there is no reason for the school to be punished.

If OSU suspended or expelled everyone in "Tattoo-gate" and publicly said that type of behavior would not be tolerated by anyone in the Buckeye program...then we would still be seeing Jim Tressell sporting sweatervests in Columbus. If Joe Pa ran Jerry Sandusky out of Happy Valley on a rail, the B10 trophy would still have his name on it. The thing that hurts the school and can lead to NCAA sanctions is being caught in a lie/cover-up.